FIREFIGHTERS narrowly escaped serious injury on Sunday when their fire engine was attacked by stone-throwing youths on Chester Road, Whitby.

FIREFIGHTERS narrowly escaped serious injury on Sunday when their fire engine was attacked by stone-throwing youths on Chester Road, Whitby.

The incident happened at 4.20pm as the 26 tonne foam tanker returned from Chester and resulted in 'bullet-hole' type damage to the front windscreen.

Ellesmere Port station officer Joe Whelan said: 'Four stones hit the windscreen and it was only by pure luck it didn't shatter.

'If it had, we could be talking about someone being killed.

'A similar malicious act recently resulted in the death of a soldier in Macedonia.

'And although in this case, the missiles were much smaller, it could have had just as serious consequences.'

Mr Whelan added: 'A vehicle that size out of control, should the driver be blinded by stones or shattered glass, doesn't bear thinking about.

'These youths didn't only put the lives of our firefighters at risk, they also put in jeopardy the lives of all other road users and pedestrians.

'I would appeal to parents to stop their children behaving in this stupid way before someone is killed. The cost of replacing the windscreen is between £450 and £500. We can replace it - but we can't replace a life.'

Brigade spokesman Evan Morris said: 'We are deeply saddened young people should commit such an act. One can only guess at their motive.'

A police spokesman said: 'The appliance was attacked by a group of about eight boys and girls in their early teens. Several were wearing blue and white football kit.

'This type of behaviour cannot be tolerated.

'Anyone who witnessed the incident or who can identify the culprits should contact the police immediately.'